Luke AFB "Noise Complaint" Awesome Reply

Buzz · 07-07-2005, 06:15 PM

These letters appeared in the opinion section of the Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...urlets239.html

A wake-up call from Luke's jets

Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?

Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune!

Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns' early-bird special?

Any response would be appreciated. - Tom MacRae, Peoria

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...uelets282.html

Flyby honored fallen comrade

Jun. 28, 2005 12:00 AM

Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques.

Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the president of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?"

The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
Luke Air Force Base
The writer is commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.

p.s. Welcome back 37L1!

37L1 · 07-07-2005, 06:23 PM

Now how do you think that letter writer feels now???

He should move out here next to HMB Airport and complain about the airplane noise like the rest of the yuppies around here do.

One guy who just moved to the coast even complained to the Coast Guard about the fog horn, they turned it down and then people complained because the couldn't hear the fog horn any more, so they turned it back up.

California, what a place!!!

Demondw3 · 07-07-2005, 07:45 PM

Thanks for posting this letter and the reply. It actually made my somewhat miserable day.

bestatchess · 07-07-2005, 07:54 PM

"Tom Cruise wannabe" ?? I don't think too many fighter pilots are dreaming about getting the chance to not be a fighter pilot, but rather just pretend to be a fighter pilot.

ruauman2 · 07-07-2005, 08:10 PM

Great story...

I'm sure the complainer found a way to justify his position in his own mind so he didn't feel like such an a**. He will continue to complain with no regard for the reason the noise is necessary. He just won't do it through the newspaper!

I have either been in the military or a contractor to the military for many years. I've worked at NAS Lemoore, MCAS Yuma, Luke AFB, Nellis AFB, Point Mugu, NAS Fallon, and a few others. I have always found it absolutely incredible that these people buy their homes near a high noise area and then proceed to b**** everytime their peace and quiet is interrupted.

At one time, Luke had a big buffer area around it to prevent encrouchment of homes. The politicians allowed this situation to happen and now Luke's future is threatened.

dareed02 · 07-07-2005, 10:47 PM

Great response!! As a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, we control many fighter aircraft in or around cities to practice urban close air support missions. We have often found a lot of people that will complain. Sometimes we have to dismiss our training to not upset the city. Other times we are greeted by lots of residents to shake our hands to say thank you for the things we do for our country. Most of the time they are very appreciative (for the most part) and enjoy the "show". No matter where you go you will find someone who has absolutely no respect for our military or the sacrifices that have to be made. You get used to it, but you shouldn't have to.

keiffers · 07-08-2005, 02:18 PM

People that complain about things like that must not really cherish the 'SOUND OF FREEDOM'. Yeah they may be loud, but when the air force base was still here in Austin (Bergstrom AFB - former home of 12th Air Force and 67th TRW (Tac Recon Wing)) that was a great sound to hear those Phantoms (RF-4C) flying over on their way back from their training sorties in West Texas. Whenever I hear whistles to this day, I think back to seeing those guys in formation on their way home. I can imagine what kinda complaint that guy would make if he lived near a B-52 base and got caught in a cloud of smoke from those big BUFF engines. There are all kinds unfortunately....

Titano24's · 07-08-2005, 02:26 PM

As us young guys like to say................HE GOT OWNT....haha

sbo76 · 07-11-2005, 05:16 PM

You know that this is the same guy who goes 45 down the I-17 in the fast lane and complains all day that people drive to fast. I will be willing to wager that he is against the war in Iraq and was a hippie in college who had way to many opinions but never followed through with actions. He is the same person that reaps the rewards of our freedom; ensured by those same pilots who interrupted his outing to Mervyns to pay the ultimate respect the Air Force can give to a fallen pilot and his family. Guys like this should be sent to a county (IRAQ) where you have no civil liberties.

Buzz · 07-11-2005, 09:35 PM

Give Tom credit he did apologize:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...lets2-091.html

An apology from the heart to the airmen of Luke

Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM

Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" Letters, June 28):

I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).

I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.

I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.

This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.

I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.

I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.

Please accept my heartfelt apologies. - Tom MacRae, Peoria

ruauman2 · 07-11-2005, 10:03 PM

I'm glad to hear that he apologized and I'm sure he regrets ever opening his mouth. I fail to see how he could have "explained his side" to anyone's satisfaction. So, I'm not sure I even understand any attempt to do so. He could simply have called the base and asked a few questions and avoided a lot of grief and public humility. Instead, he elected to get on a "soap box" and shout out his anger for everyone to see. Hell, he even got a thread in TitanTalk.